Chapter 9: Coruscant
Arriving to the planet of Coruscant reminds him of the first time he came here, but of course, unlike the first time he is at a secret hanger, his presence unknown to all on the planet for good reason since he doesn't wish for the Jedi to detect him. He cannot allow the Jedi to discover his arrival on the core of their Order, and news of him accessing a secret hanger won't go unnoticed.
Part of him still can't believe that visiting Padmé was easy back when he was a Jedi whenever he is on the planet given all the Jedi he can feel on this planet, but he thinks about it considerably.
Anakin and Obi-Wan weren't often at the Temple together. Palpatine sometimes requested Anakin's presence at Coruscant for one reason or another and that gave him opportunities to see Padmé but again, that didn't happen often.
Besides, Anakin was no longer a Padawan at the time, he was a war general and Jedi Knight in his own right and didn't have to explain anyone where he spent his short leaves from duty. Jedi Knights reported to the Council on assignment and completion of their missions and then, they were pretty much on their own.
Anakin actually spent more time with his former Padawan Ahsoka than around Obi-Wan, even though they often teamed up on the battlefield as they worked well together.
But those were times of him being involved with the war, and now, he is a fugitive to the Jedi. It is no wonder he is a fugitive to the Galactic Republic less he would have to fight the clones he once led, but he is certain that he has Chancellor Palpatine to thank for that. Oh how much he owes that old man.
Ditching the armor and placing on his Jedi robes along with the cloak, Anakin raises his hood over his head. He will fairly admit that having a hood over his head always just feel right, always just clicked into place.
He warns Mara to stay behind on the ship with Artoo since her sensitivity with the Force is powerful but untrained. Should a Jedi be traversing the streets which does occur frequently than it appears, he or she may detect Mara's Force Sensitivity and be determined to bring her before the Jedi Council for where her powers learned to manifest and who she has been learning from.
Anakin will not allow Mara Jade to become a Jedi, at least not the Jedi many younglings become without no choice. She will not be another tool used by the Order.
He strolls through the street, staring around and assuring that his presence to the Force is protected to the core.
He walks over to a speeder who's owner and his bodyguard appears to be approaching and he runs up, pushing him away before boarding the speeder, activating the switch and driving off to full Force.
As expected, he is immediately chased by the police droids, though they didn't stand a chance to his superior driving abilities. He dodges around speeders, losing them in the midst of the crowd.
However, they likely detect the license of the speeder and it wouldn't be long before they catch up with him.
Anakin considers his previous knowledge with them that can be used against them.
The GU-series "Guardian" police droids are used by the Coruscant Security Force (CSF) on this capital planet to assist organic police officers in maintaining order on the ecumenopolis world over the generations leading up to and during the Clone Wars between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent System which means some of these droids have the experience. Specifically, the police droids were deployed on the upper levels of Galactic City, while the rougher underworld police officers patrolled the lower levels. While given combat programming, their primary function is to prevent people from being harmed.
The police droids are humanoid in shape, with long, dexterous arms and five-fingered hands, legs, a central torso, and a head. The top of the head are capped by a tall, cylindrical shako-like helmet that houses sensors and a comm suite. The nondescript face of the droid sports two glowing, gold photoreceptors and a tiny mouth, which allows the droids to intake fluids for testing. The units are painted in a blue-gray color scheme and wears the CSF symbol painted on their helmet, as well as the upper left section of the breastplate. They are programmed as masculine and could speak Basic. When shut down, the droids can be activated remotely through devices such as a datapad. The droids can also intake fluids through their vocabulator.
Police droids are equipped with SS-410 Police Special blaster pistols and a simple truncheon to defend themselves and others. They can also use stun batons, grenade launchers, riot shields, and blaster rifles depending on their assignment. Their duties includew setting up a perimeter, collecting evidence, preliminary interrogations, and holding and arresting suspects. When on patrol, the police droids either traveled on foot or used RapidResponse police speeders and Coruscant police speeders. This can be a risk.
Soon, they catch up with him, and Anakin decides to land the speeder onto the ramp, the droids speeder following before they pull out their blasters.
Months ago, he couldn't kill clones but he can surely dismantle these droids mechanical bodies where they stand because they can easily be rebuild. He draws his lightsaber and activates the white lightsaber, blocking blaster shots and returning them to their owner before bringing one droid before him and squeezing its head, throwing the corpse off.
In some twisted irony, this reminds him of leading the 501st Legion against battalions and units of battle droids throughout his time serving the Republic.
As he slays right through them, deflect their blaster shots, and uses his power that have intensify through the last few months, the droids are soon scrape piles among the streets of Coruscant.
One last droid attempts to fire at him, but Anakin rolls to the right and outstretches his hand, sending powerful Force Energy against the droid and blasting it off of the surface to the streets below before deactivating his lightsaber and planting it back on his belt.
Anakin rushes off to the streets, deciding that he would just run up to 500 Republica, hoping beyond hope that no one would recognize him. Otherwise, he will find himself facing complications.
Eventually he makes it to the familiar building, noting the familiar presences of many and knowing that he has to be extremely careful.
Calling off the Force, he leaps up to the first balcony before using the Force to climb the second and then the third, knowing he is being beyond pity but he wouldn't allow himself to be caught by the guards and the handmaidens before jumping in. Additionally, he can sense the Jedi surrounding the premier, though it makes him angry since he doesn't like the Jedi being around Padmé. He don't even trust Obi-Wan around her since his old former Master undoubtedly views him as a threat.
Once there, he jumps immediately behind cover, hoping no one spots him since the Jedi will undoubtedly be alerted. He is confident he can take them all on but it will only draw unwanted attention, and the more powerful Masters at the Temple will be harder to beat since their expeditious training in the Force.
He hides behind another corner, noting at last handmaidens sitting down on a couch and talking about... erm whatever women talk about. He begins probing the handmaidens and probing for a familiar face among the handmaidens. Parts of him curse, wishing Sabé isn't off on Naboo as he trusts her more than the others.
And Force, women are demanding.
"Teckla, pss, Teckla!" He shouts softly, causing the handmaidens to turn.
"Anakin, is that you?" Teckla inquires.
Anakin removes the hood to his head, replying. "Yes."
"Anakin," Dormé says softly, standing up and approaching him slowly with the rest of the handmaidens, slowly taking him to the other room before closing the door as there are Jedi outside of the apartment, undoubtedly due to Padmé's refusal to allowing them complete access inside of the building.
"Are you crazy?! Rumors has it that you have been decreed a traitor to the Jedi and you are on Coruscant!" Teckla whisper shouts to Anakin, staring at him with eyes that is enough to make one squirm in fear. "Jedi are everywhere in this area! They will find you and imprison you!"
"I know, I know," he replies, grinning in a manner that always annoyed each of the handmaidens when he feel like teasing them, "but hey you each love my defiant and daring side."
"Only in your mind, Skywalker," Yané replies.
"Never knew you each cared about me," Anakin replies. "It's funny."
"Skywalker, now's not the time to joke!" Dormé replies, feeling the urge to bash the man's head into the wall. "The Jedi are going to catch you here eventually! When Padmé finds you here, she is going to freak!"
"Dormé, ever the professional one," he replies, mocking her tone.
Dormé scoffs at this, "Only when you act like an idiot!"
"Where is Padmé?" He asks, deciding that he can't joke anymore but he hasn't seen these people who he knows somewhat personally for months. "I need to speak with her."
"She is off at a Senate meeting," Teckla replies, soaking in his appearance before staring up at him with a scowl. "Anakin, I must admit I thought you were crazy but now you are wearing Jedi Robes and prancing around Coruscant when you are wanted by the Jedi. You are absolutely an idiot."
"Not like I have much of a choice, Teckla," he replies somewhat roughly.
"What do you mean?" Saché asks.
"I have no other clothes," he tells them truthfully before sighing. "That's actually one of the reasons I came over in the hope Padmé would lend me over some clothes."
Dormé stares at him before staring at the others, clearly getting an idea.
Anakin is slightly worried so he continues to reach out with his senses to assure the Jedi isn't going to walk inside of the building and catch him interacting with the handmaidens of his wife.
They assume him a Sith and they would wish to apprehend him along. They would likely apprehend the handmaidens as well given they are helping him instead of reporting his presence to them, assuming them as collaborators and he wishes to avoid this under no means necessary. They are innocent and loyal to Padmé and they don't deserve to be accuse of collaboration to a presumed Sith Lord. He has already caused enough problems in Padmé's life and he doesn't wish to do this.
"Maybe we can help."
"You will do that?" He asks, genuinely shocked that the handmaidens are willing to help him out, especially after he is partly the reason why Padmé is practically imprisoned by the Jedi.
"You have saved Padmé many times, Anakin," Saché replies, "and there is times where you have saved us too. We can only repay the favor."
"Okay, I need brown robes my size, possessing a cloak and cape. I also require smaller robes since I have encountered this Force Sensitive child." He replies, knowing that isn't exactly the full truth but a half-lie is better than a complete lie.
"It will be done. We will have to leave one handmaiden with you so we can fulfill your desires without gaining suspicion in the process." Teckla affirms sternly.
Ultimately, Teckla, Yané, Saché, and a few other handmaidens choose to leave while Dormé chooses to remain with Anakin, given he spoken to her one or two times. He continues to cloud his presence in the Force, noticing the Jedi are not suspicious and shrugging it off as just the handmaidens receiving orders from Padmé. Dormé also decides to cook something for him, having adapt a perfect cooking ability such as Padmé and laying it in front of him.
Briefly, he is worried about Mara, but given Artoo is with her as of the moment, he knows his loyal droid will keep her safe and travel off Coruscant under his orders should he spot Jedi. The droid can also use the ship's equipment to cook for her. She is in safe hands.
As Dormé lays out food for him in a hour, Anakin smiles in gratitude, knowing he has to eat the food in the handmaidens chambers in 500 Republica unless the Jedi may walk through and catch him devouring food.
"Thanks, Dormé, I owe you and each of your fellow handmaidens one," he states, knowing that he hasn't have this type of refreshments for months since he isn't exactly a good cook, that being proven that time when he burned the oven and nearly caused a fire in 500 Republica. Luckily, Sabé was there, saving him - and everyone in the building just in time, but Padmé wasn't happy and he was never to cook again as long as she lives, causing him to smirk slightly at the memory.
"You don't owe us nothing. We owed you one for many things."
In spite of this comment, Anakin swears that he owes a deep gratitude to Padmé's handmaidens. He will return the favor someday.
Arthur's note: It's been some time I know. The thing is I had ran into a writer's block, writing down paragraphs but coming to a stop as Chronicles of the Force is my biggest project right now with this story falling on the back burner. Additionally, I have admittedly was struggling with a writing style I wanted to go. I have finally found the way I want it to be since I was struggling with which direction I want to go so it's good for me.
Next chapter is going to be fun to write.
May the Force be with you all always.